NAGPUR: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated projects worth nearly Rs 673 crore throughout Maharashtra, particularly highlighting Nagpur. These initiatives focus on affordable housing and railway infrastructure, revealed during two events in the city.
A key moment was the bhoomipuja for two housing projects by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) at Mouza Nari, involving a total investment of Rs 188.77 crore. This includes the Rs 91.45 crore Maharshi Sudarshan Balmiki Vasahat, a housing colony for sanitation workers, and the Rs 97.32 crore Swapnapurti project under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) 2.0, catering to economically weaker section (EWS) families.
The Maharshi Sudarshan Balmiki Vasahat will feature 392 two-bedroom apartments across 14 seven-storey buildings exclusively for sanitation workers. Amenities will include gardens, community halls, solar systems, sewage treatment facilities, internal roads, and more. Built using the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) model, this project requires no direct funding from NMC and aims for completion within three years.
The Swapnapurti housing project plans to construct 518 affordable apartments, inclusive of 308 two-bedroom and 210 one-bedroom units for EWS beneficiaries. Both the central and state governments will provide a subsidy of Rs 2.5 lakh per flat, easing costs for applicants. So far, NMC has received 1,919 applications for these 518 flats, which will be allocated via a computerized lottery.
Fadnavis confirmed the continuation of the Shram Safalya Scheme, which allows eligible sanitation workers in Maharashtra to receive free 300 sq ft homes. Gadkari praised these housing initiatives as “remarkable,” highlighting their potential to provide permanent homes for nearly 900 families.
Additionally, nine MahaRail infrastructure projects with a total investment of Rs 484 crore were inaugurated in Nagpur. Among them, two notable projects were introduced to the public: the Rs 151 crore four-lane Deepti Signal-Wardhaman Nagar Road Over Bridge (ROB) and the Rs 30 crore Shanti Nagar Road Under Bridge (RUB). These enhancements will improve access to Dipti Signal.
The other projects comprise three ROBs located in Badnera (Rs 67 crore), Morwa in Chandrapur (Rs 59 crore), and Kirloskarvadi in Sangli (Rs 79 crore), alongside four subways at Bhilawadi (Rs 44 crore), Kherwadi (Rs 12 crore), Masur (Rs 27 crore), and Dongargaon near Nagpur (Rs 15 crore).
MahaRail officials indicated that these projects are part of the state’s initiative to achieve a 100% elimination of unmanned railway crossings, thereby enhancing road safety, reducing congestion, and facilitating smoother traffic flow.
The two railway projects in Nagpur are funded through the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), while the remaining projects follow a cost-sharing agreement, with the Ministry of Railways and Maharashtra government each covering 50%.
